Westport man pleads no contest in Rite Aid stabbing

Jacob Gallant sentenced to 45 years

EastBayRI.com ·

WESTPORT — Jacob Gallant, 42, of Westport pleaded no contest today before Superior Court Magistrate John McBurney to the March 5, 2017 stabbing at Rite Aid in Warwick that left 18-year-old Alyssa Garcia severely injured. 

Mr. Gallant pleaded “nolo contendere” to one count of assault with intent to murder, one count of mayhem and one count of carrying a knife while committing a crime of violence, according to R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.

Magistrate McBurney sentenced Mr. Gallant, over the state’s objection, to a total of 45 years with 25 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. The prosecutor in the case had requested the court sentence Mr. Gallant to the maximum time of 45 years to serve in the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI).

Had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove that at approximately 2:50 p.m. on March 5, 2017, the defendant, carrying a large butcher knife, entered the Rite Aid located at 1201 Warwick Ave. and repeatedly stabbed 18-year-old Alyssa Garcia, a Rite Aid employee.

The attack was stopped by Rite Aid shift manager Connor Devine and customer Stanley Bastian when they witnessed Mr. Gallant stabbing Ms. Garcia, according to the attorney general’s office. Mr. Devine used a shopping cart to strike Gallant to stop the attack while Bastian helped restrain him, the state said.

Warwick Police and emergency personnel responded quickly to the scene where Ms. Garcia was treated and rushed her to Kent County Hospital. Mr. Gallant was taken into custody.

While in police custody, Mr. Gallant voluntarily spoke with detectives, according to the state. He admitted he left Westport on March 3 and drove to Maryland, then back toward Rhode Island, the state said. While in Rhode Island, he told detectives that he “just went nuts” and that he purchased the knife earlier in the day on March 5 because he “wanted to kill someone, I didn’t know who, just wanted to kill someone,” according to the state.

“This is one of the most horrific and senseless acts of violence that this office has prosecuted. What started out as a very typical day for Alyssa Garcia turned violent when the defendant decided he wanted to kill someone,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “Although it will take a very long time, if ever, for Alyssa’s physical and emotional wounds to heal, we are extremely grateful that Connor Devine and Stanley Bastian stepped in, stopped the assault and saved her life. All three — Alyssa, Connor and Stanley —  are heroes.”

Warwick Police led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Charles Calenda prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.